Kentish Football 
Soccer Shorts: Hollands & Blair feel totally devastated after losing promotion appeal at The FA
ASHFORD UNITED have confirmed that they have been banned from this coming season’s Kent Senior Trophy competition.
A club statement from Ashford, which was posted on their website said: “Following on from the disgraceful end of the Kent Senior Trophy Final at Tonbridge Angels’ ground, which we lost by a 4-0 scoreline and marred by crowd fighting at the end of the game, we have been banned from this competition by the Kent FA for this coming season.
“The Kent FA decided that the fines issued to both clubs was insufficient punishment and have increased their authority over the competition with this seasons ban.”
BECKENHAM TOWN are preparing their Eden Park Avenue ground for Sunday’s FA Women’s Super League Two clash between Millwall Lionesses and Doncaster Rovers Belles. Kick off is at 2pm. Admission prices are £5 (adults) and £2 (under 16s).
Doncaster Rovers arrive at Beckenham sitting at the summit with five wins out of five, whilst the Lionesses are in third-place with two wins, two draws from their five games.
Groundsman Ian Muir told www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk: “The pitch is ready and in view of the time we have had to complete the maintenance it’s as good as I can expect it to be, but it will still be 70% better by the time the season starts in August.”
ERITH & BELVEDERE will break new ground when the club’s first two pre-season games will be played indoors.
Matt Longhurst’s side face Chatham Town (Friday, 4 July) and Hendon (Friday, 11 July) at the London Soccer Dome in Greenwich.
The venue will be closing down in October to make way for housing.
FAVERSHAM TOWN will mark the club’s tenth anniversary of their rebirth by hosting a festival in aid of the Faversham Carnival Club on Sunday 10 August.
Gates will open from 9:30 at Salters Lane and there will be several games of youth football from 10:30am. Admission prices are just £2 for adults and half price for children.
Then, a Faversham Legends side will face the Faversham Town Kent League champions of 2010 with kick-off at 1pm.
The Legends team will be managed by Rob Beazleigh, whilst former Lilywhites boss, Justin Luchford, now on the coaching staff at Ryman Premier League side Tonbridge Angels, will manage the 2010 Kent League winning team.
Current first team duo Ray Turner and Clive Walker are also to decide what dugout they will be in.
In addition, there will be a BBQ, an outside bar (weather permitting), local produce and various other stalls at the ground.
There will also be live music in the evening.
FISHER’S newly-appointed joint-manager Simon Halsey has explained why he has teamed up with Billy Walton at the club.
Halsey brings with him a strong track record, having won the Kent League with Herne Bay in April 2013, before taking charge at Lordswood last season.
Halsey told www.fisherfc.co.uk: “I’ve known Bill for many years and it is great that we can finally link up together as joint managers of Fisher. Our philosophy on how football should be played is the same, so hopefully together we can bring success back to a great club with a great history.
“On a personal note it is an honour for me to be asked to join such a great club. I see Fisher as a relative sleeping giant in our current position in the pyramid, just as Herne Bay were when I joined them. The committee of the club have proven that with a plan, patience and hard work you can achieve your goal. They and the fans are on the verge of taking the club back home, and that is a massive achievement for all concerned. It is a great time to join Fisher.”
Outlining the prospects for the season, Halsey said: “Success does not come easily, it requires a lot of hard work which will come from Bill, myself and the players both on the training ground and on match days. With us all putting in the time, effort and hard work who knows what could happen. This is a very exciting time for us all.”
Welcoming the move, Fisher chairman Ben Westmancott added: “We are delighted to welcome Simon on board. His track record speaks volumes and we are all looking forward to the coming season with excited anticipation.”
The club say a fond farewell to coach Gerry Cox, who joined the Fish midway through last season.
Walton said: “Gerry was a fantastic asset to the side last year and we are sorry to see him go, but we understand his desire to seek out a management role. Gerry leaves with our best wishes, and I am sure our paths will cross again soon!”
Assistant manager Keith Jarvis remains part of the backroom team, and Fisher have a vacancy for a first team coach.
Interested parties should hold a minimum FA Level 2 coaching qualification and relevant experience in senior football, and a UEFA qualification is desirable. Applicants should forward their CVs to dan@fisherfc.co.uk.
HOLLANDS & BLAIR will remain in the Kent Invicta League this coming season after the Gillingham-based club lost their appeal at The Football Association today.
The club won the Kent Invicta League title by ten points last season but have been denied promotion to the 20 team Southern Counties East Football League due to their ground at Darland Avenue not meeting the necessary criteria.
A club statement said: “Hollands & Blair will once again be participating in the Kent Invicta League in 2014-15 after the FA unfortunately decided to throw out the club’s appeal at Wembley on Thursday.
“Despite constant backing from the Southern Counties East Football League, with Tony Day joining Martin Bass, Dave Slaughter and Wayne Peirce from the club at football’s HQ, the FA decided to uphold their decision against allowing the club’s promotion due to ground regulations.
“To say the club are bewildered and totally devastated would be a massive understatement.”
HOLMESDALE will be competing in the annual Kendo Cup, a four-team tournament at Farleigh Rovers on 19-20 July, which honours the late Ken Thurgood.
The Bromley-based club are holders of the trophy and they will line up against their Southern Counties East Football League rivals Phoenix Sports, Ryman League newcomers East Grinstead and a Kendo XI.
All those who enjoyed Kendo’s training, banter and companionship and tutelage will be very welcome to come along and join in what will no doubt be a weekend of good football and entertainment.
MARGATE have launched a deaf side, which will train at the five-a-side centre at Hartsdown Park.
The team forms part of the Ryman Premier League club’s continued commitment to being a part of the local community.
Training will be overseen by both Michael Hickson from the Margate Royal School for Deaf Children and the club’s head of football in the community Wayne Wilson.
The sessions will be opened up next Thursday for new players that wish to join the team. Any players interested in joining should contact Michael Hickson at the Deaf School on 01843 227561.
Wilson told www.margate-fc.co.uk it was the beginning of another exciting project at Margate Football Club.
He said: “This is another unique and exciting opportunity for Margate Football Club. We are fully committed to ensuring people enjoy playing football regardless of any disability they may have”.
“Margate Football Club is really excited that we will now have a disability side alongside our other community initiatives we are running”.
Meanwhile, the club is delighted to announce the appointment of Russell Sullivan as their new Director of Community & Education.
Mr Sullivan brings with him a vast amount of experience having been involved in the education sector for 40 years.
As part of the clubs continued commitment to developing its close links with the local community and schools in Thanet, Russell will join Margate at board level to work with Wilson to further develop those links already in place and also ensure Margate Football Club remains at the forefront of the local community.
Margate chairman Bob Laslett said: “Russell is a top guy who will bring considerable experience, knowledge and understanding to this vital role. His enthusiasm for football and commitment to community and education is exactly what is needed to accelerate the fantastic work we already do here at Margate FC both in the community and with local schools”.
RUSTHALL manager Gary Sharman says he is expecting a great season ahead, after guiding the Jockey Farm based club to top seven finish in the Kent Invicta League last season.
“Now that England have once again let the supporters down by coming home early, we hope to focus on our own schedule to push for bigger and better things this season,” Sharman told the club’s website.
“A notice will go out on the club website soon, with an early pre-season fixture against Tunbridge Wells and the tour to Holland and Belgium on the weekend of 18 July, we hope that each and every player are keeping themselves fit and ready for what should be a great season for the Rustics.
“You know what you have to do, be prepared and work for each other. We want the best out of everyone this year and you will reap the rewards.”
SITTINGBOURNE has begun a new chapter and in partnership with Woodstock Park FC, now known as Sittingbourne Community FC.
The club play in the Haart of Kent County League Division Two and are looking to strengthen their squad and are looking for new players.
Manager James Ellis said: “We are looking for new players to assist in not only winning the league, but in the longer term supporting the first team in the coming years.
“We are looking for all positions and will be starting pre-season training on Saturday 5 July at our home ground Woodstock Park, Broadoak Road, Sittingbourne.”
Please contact James Ellis on 07736 395 55 between 18:00 and 21:00 weekdays or email jmellis@gmx.com.
WELLING UNITED manager Jamie Day has bolstered his defensive ranks with the signing of former Grimsby Town player Jamal Fyfield, 25.
The centre-back, who can also operate at left-back, was at Park View Road on Tuesday to sign for the Conference Premier club.
“I’m delighted to bring Jamal into the club,” Day told www.wellingunited.com.
“He is a player we have admired for a long time, he has plenty of quality and also experience at this level and above.”
Fyfield made 79 league appearances for York City and was part of the team that won the FA Trophy and promotion back to the Football League in 2011/12.
He joined Grimsby Town in the previous transfer window on a free transfer and featured 10 times for the Mariners.
Fyfield started his career as a youth-team player at Leyton Orient and also featured for Maidenhead United before linking up with York for a nominal fee in September 2010.
The move for Fyfield comes at a time when another new recruit, Callum McNaughton, is expected to miss the start of the season.
McNaughton, 22, had agreed a one-year deal with the Wings at the start of June, subject to a swift return from a summer operation.
The former West Ham United and Bishop’s Stortford defender is now expected to miss the start of pre-season and has been invited to rejoin the squad when he is back fit.
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